Michael Drexler, Ganit Segal2, Amnon Lahad, Amir Haim, Udi Rath, Amit Mor, David R Morgensteren4, Moshe Salai and Avi Elbaz
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a biomechanical therapy on the pain, function, quality of life and spatio-temporal gait patterns of patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA).
Design: 60 patients with hip OA were examined before and after twelve weeks of a personalized biomechanical therapy (AposTherapy). Patients were evaluated using the WOMAC questionnaire for pain and function and the SF-36 Health Survey for quality of life, and underwent a computerized gait test.
Results: After twelve weeks of treatment, a significant improvement was found in the patients’ velocity, step length and cadence (P ≤ 0.001). WOMAC-pain, stiffness and function subscales were significantly improved compared to baseline (P ≤ 0.001). SF-36 physical score subscale improved significantly (P=0.007).
Conclusions: Patients with bilateral hip OA treated with AposTherapy for twelve weeks showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain, function and gait patterns.
